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Owner and principal photographer Amy Zellmer approaches every shoot from two angles. With a modern style of traditional photography, each shot is composed and framed to fit alongside family portraits from any decade. But with the addition of her photojournalistic skills, her photos also tell the story of her subjects, capturing their emotions in a single, telling moment. The all-female staff at her studio shares this dual focus to shoot families, weddings, and private boudoir sessions.
Amy requires an engagement session before the wedding day with every couple she works with so that she can develop a relationship with the soon-to-be-weds and find the photography style to match their personality. She incorporates this same communicative approach in basic portrait sessions, often taking pictures in black and white to emphasize emotions or the stark contrast of an oreo. Amy coaches natural poses from her subjects during boudoir sessions that build confidence and reinforce her belief that women of all shapes and sizes are beautiful.

With more than 25 years of experience in Europe and the United States, former fashion photographer Gregory Gittsovich has spent the last quarter century making his subjects look their best. Things are no different at Accent Photography, where he photographs seniors with their favorite instruments or athletic gear, babies with fun props such as balloons, or pet dogs with the only mailmen they've ever liked. During both in-studio and on-location sessions, Gregory never forces his patrons into uncomfortable positions; rather, he lets them strike their preferred poses and only makes suggestions if necessary. Afterward, he retouches each client's favorite images to ensure that prints or digital images feature smooth complexions and rich color.
Along with his smaller-scale shoots, Gregory and the Accent Photography team cover bar and bat mitzvahs, where they snap unlimited photographs at unlimited locations for families to choose from. He offers similarly extensive coverage at weddings, which he captures with a custom blend of traditional portraiture, photojournalistic technique, and candid images.

facet: Main
type: Traditional
locale: en_US
title: Laura Monahan Photography
facet_type_id: 2e357c70-5f37-1032-ae6f-61f2a7942f6f
html_text: 'Laura Monahan comes from an artistic family, and spent her youth practicing
sculpture, oil painting, pottery, and what turned out to be her ultimate passion:
photography. Her ability to preserve candid moments has left an indelible impression—she
has a published portfolio on three continents and product lines appearing at national
retailers such as Hallmark and JCPenney. Laura’s photo shoots always take place
outdoors, capturing newborns, older kids, and families in soft, natural lighting
and poses that never appear unnatural. Her settings span the country from San Diego’s
foamy beaches to Denver’s red-rock sunsets and into the Midwest’s autumn leaves,
and she holds mom''s night out events all over the country, including in Honolulu,
San Diego, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Denver.'

Whether orchestrating adorable scenes where babies with mohawks pluck Fender Stratocaster guitars in their studio, or capturing familial comfort in living rooms on location, Flash Digital Portraits aims to tell a story. Creative backgrounds and props draw out the personalities of babies and
kids, and sessions with
families render treasured keepsakes that, when framed, enliven a room. Whether focusing their lens on pets or trying to get graduating seniors to look into the camera by dangling stuffed animals in front of them, the staff design personality-packed images to realize each client's vision.

At Elusive Art Photography, it's all about the women. Curves glow, hair shines, and confidence radiates as photographer Mercedes document boudoir and glamour moments. Skilled at putting clients at ease, the photographer plays upbeat music, provide a professional makeup artist for an additional fee, and allows ladies to bring a friend. The studio is completely closed off from the lobby, so ladies can feel confident they're in a comfortable environment, just like eyeglasses feel more relaxed on shoots when they see that the cameras have lenses too. Bring a variety of revealing outfits, and if you're feeling up for it, you may even elect to pose nude. In the end, it's all about the woman since every image centers on her own unique beauty.

Target Portrait Studios are operated by professional photographers who aim to help you capture special moments. The studios can be decorated for most any type of shoot, whether you're celebrating a mom-to-be, a graduation, or an upcoming holiday. Subjects also have the opportunity to choose their own backdrops or props, and they can even bring in their favorite toy or invisible friend. The customization doesn't end with the shoot, though?digital files can be personalized with borders, designs, and quotes and then printed in a variety of sizes.

Groupon Guide

“We can make anything look sexy.”A bold statement, perhaps, but it’s easy to trust coming from boudoir photographer Lori Sapio. The 24-year industry veteran has shot for publications like Vogue Italia and Playboy, so she clearly knows a thing or 10 about sexy. Of course, Vogue sexy and Playboy sexy are two very different things, and that’s kind of the point here. At her Chicago studio, Revival Pinups, the photographer resists forcing some cookie-cutter definition of sexy onto clients. “I let it be a collaboration,” Lori said, “so my clients have their own voice.” So if you’re a first-time model, there’s your first tip: speak up. The idea of a boudoir shoot might seem inherently daunting, but you only have to do what you’re comfortable with. We talked to Lori about what happens in your typical photo shoot, including eight things you don’t have to do.You don’t have to know what you’re doing.“For most people, it starts as a nerve-racking experience,” Lori said. “It’s like an exercise class and I’m their instructor. I instruct them the whole way and help them with their posing. Most people don’t have any idea [what to do], or they had some ideas before they walked through the doors, but everything kind of goes away once they come in.” (That doesn’t mean you can’t come in with ideas. Feel free to bring pictures, Pinterest boards, or magazines as inspiration.) You don’t have to take yourself too seriously.“A lot of people like to be serious and sexy,” Lori said, but a mix of expressions will give you more photo options. She also tries to make people smile and laugh to get some shots on the sweeter end of the sexy spectrum.As for posing, she suggests you relax and just keep moving to avoid obsessing over every movement and facial expression. “Once [people] start slowing down, people start thinking more, second-guessing facial expressions or how their body looks. If [the shoot] is fast and moving, then they don’t really think about it as much and it helps the nerves go away quicker.”You don’t have to dress up as someone else.If you don’t wear a lot of makeup in your everyday life, you might not want to spackle on the cosmetics for your shoot. “Some people get shell-shocked by seeing their faces all done up if they’re not used to it.” However, a boudoir shoot can be an opportunity to try an outfit or style you wouldn’t normally—wear something skimpy, vamp it up, go for ‘40s pinup styling, anything. “If there’s anything in particular the person you’re doing the photos for really likes, you can kind of shop for them,” Lori said. “Just make sure you’re comfortable.” You don’t have to splurge on new lingerie.If you have something you know you look good in, don’t feel like you have to forsake it for shiny new stuff. “With older pieces, you can’t really tell that they’re older by the time you’re in front of the camera. Things photograph differently than how they look in real life.” (The only thing she suggests not wearing? Pieces with lots of boning. “It doesn’t move with the body as much as you think it would.”)In fact, you don’t even have to be in your undies.Lori’s portfolio features women wearing everything from skimpy lingerie to robes to knee-length dresses. Those not as comfortable with getting photographed in their skivvies might want to consider leggings or form-fitting dresses, as they show off curves without showing skin. You don’t have to be photographed from every angle.Lori recommends working with your photographer to find poses that complement your body type. “Some people want to hide certain body parts or accentuate certain body parts. … [We] formulate a game plan from that to help with the posing.”You don’t have to go through it alone.Get moral support from someone you really trust, like a sister or best friend. This can be helpful for deciding what outfits to bring, or even for the day of the shoot. “Some people like the feedback their friends give [during a shoot],” Lori said. “It’s just a little confidence booster to bring someone along.” Of course, if you find their presence is making you more nervous, don’t be shy. Ask them to step out.You don’t have to do it for someone else.“The majority of people are like, ‘This gift is for someone, but it’s also for me,’” Lori said. Some clients pose just for themselves, often to celebrate meeting weight-loss or fitness goals or reaching a milestone birthday.Photos courtesy of Revival PinupsGet portrait-ready with these tips from the Groupon Guide:Tips for Composed Portraits from a Pro PhotographerHer first tip? Relax.The Solutions to Seven Common Makeup and Beauty ProblemsYou'll be camouflaging pimples in no time.